My publication is a response to the topic "25 photos of amazing places worth seeing at least once in a lifetime".
Lord! Love your country first! Study its history, nature, get acquainted with unique, inimitable beauties and protect them!.
I did not set myself the task of showing and describing the famous national parks and reserves of Russia. It is impossible, and it is not necessary here on the site. But to remind, to acquaint with some of them, to interest, attract attention, I would like, and then you yourself ...
GO...
In Russia, there are a little more than a hundred nature reserves and national parks. This is hardly enough for such a vast territory as Russia, as some species of plants and animals continue to disappear. To draw attention to the problem, 2013 was declared the year of environmental protection in Russia. As part of the program, it was planned to equip about two dozen more nature protection zones.
Each Russian region, from Kaliningrad (Curonian Spit with a dancing forest) to Kamchatka (hills and volcanoes), has something to surprise.
Studying the nature of Russia is a very exciting activity. Eh, we practically don’t know anything about our Motherland, and at school something little attention is paid to our unique nature. It is unlikely that anyone will set out to visit all the national parks of Russia, but when traveling around the country, it is worth looking into these natural corners. Delving into geography, you can find out that “Manpupuner” is, it turns out, not an overseas curse, but a wonder of the world in the Komi Republic, Tanais is a disappeared trading city in the Rostov region, Krasnoyarsk and Lena pillars are not pillars at all, but amazing rocks. And many more discoveries await those who want to learn more about the amazing nature of our country.
The Zabaikalsky National Park is one of the few national parks in Russia that fully meet the UNESCO recommendations for this category of specially protected natural areas.
The Zabaikalsky National Park is located within a typical mountain-taiga region. The relief is mountainous. Within the boundaries of the park, large orographic units are distinguished: the Svyatonossky Range, the Barguzinsky Range, the Chivyrkuisky Isthmus and the Ushkany Islands.
Two mountain ranges stretch across the territory of the park in the direction from northeast to southwest: the Barguzinsky Range - gradually lowering from the Barguzinsky Reserve to Lake. Barmashovoe (the highest elevation of the ridge within the park is 2376 m above sea level) and the Sredinny Ridge of the Svyatoi Nos Peninsula (the highest elevation approximately in the middle part of 1877 m), gradually lowering to the north and south. The Chivyrkui Isthmus connects the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula with the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. The Ushkany Islands (Bolshoy Ushkany Island and Small Ushkany Islands) are the peaks of the Academic Ridge, which divides the Baikal depression into two basins - northern and southern.
Altai Reserve has been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1998. Included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) - May 26, 2009. Included in the list of "Global-200" (WWF) - virgin or little changed ecoregions of the world, in which 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated.
The territory occupied by the Altai Reserve includes five physiographic regions of three natural provinces. In the spectrum of altitudinal zonality, almost all natural belts of the Altai Mountains are distinguished: taiga low and middle mountains, subalpine and alpine meadow middle and high mountains, tundra-steppe high mountains, tundra middle and high mountains, glacial-nival high mountains. Forests occupy 34% of the total area of the main zone. They are located in the lower and middle parts of the mountains, on the steep slopes of the valleys, as well as on the lower parts of the sloping crests. The lower border of the forest begins at the level of 436 meters (the level of Lake Teletskoye), and the upper one is different in different parts. So, if in the southeast it is at an altitude of 2000–2200 m above sea level, then in the northwest it drops to a level of 1800–2000 m.
Of particular value to the protected area is a unique grove of relic yew pointed on about. Petrov, thickets of endemic microbiota of a cross-pair population of such rare animals as the Amur goral, the Amur tiger, the Ussuri spotted deer.
The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. Ridge Zapovedny divides the territory of the reserve into two parts - northern continental and southern coastal. The average height of the mountains is 500–700 m, some peaks reach 1200–1400 m above sea level. The slopes of the mountains have different steepness, on average 20-25 degrees, their crests are narrow but flat. Significant areas are occupied by stony placers. The height of the spurs decreases in the east towards the sea, the watershed ridges pass into small hilly ridges up to 100 m high.
The territory of the reserve includes two small islands - Petrova and Beltsova, located at the southern border of the reserve. The islands are covered with forest.
The very first reserve in the Far East and one of the oldest reserves in Russia, formed to preserve and study the undisturbed liana coniferous-deciduous forests of Southern Primorye, unique for Russia, characterized by a high proportion of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The reserve and its environs is the only place in Russia where the Far Eastern leopard lives.
In 2004, the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve received the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The most valuable are black fir-broad-leaved forests or black fir forests, the Far Eastern leopard, on Mount Chalban plants are common that are very rare in other places of the Far East - currant bloater, Komarov's currant. In the reserve, for the first time, a rocky primrose was found (on Mount Chalban) and species new to science were described - the Far Eastern violet and the Ussuri corydalis. The Kedrovaya River flows on the territory of the reserve - its length does not exceed 25 kilometers. It is she who is the ideal of a clean river for scientists all over the world.
The Samarskaya Luka National Park was created in 1984 by decision of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, and is one of the first three national parks in Russia.
Samarskaya Luka is a unique area formed by the bend of the largest European river Volga in its middle course and the Usinsky Bay of the Kuibyshev reservoir. The Volga in this place makes a large arc facing east, and then turns to the southwest. Its length is more than 200 km. Highly elevated ancient carbonate rocks here form a semblance of an island.
Unique landforms, a peculiar microclimate, amazing beauty of the mountains, the blue necklace of the Volga framing them, unique flora and fauna have earned Zhiguli and Samarskaya Luka as a whole world fame.
There is an unusually high concentration of monuments of almost all cultures of the European forest-steppe known to science, from the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age to the present. There are about 200 natural and historical monuments on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. It is also rich in archaeological finds.
The Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on the territory of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of the Smolensk region in 1992 "to preserve natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes." In November 2002, it was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolenskoye Poozerye" is due to 35 large and small glacial lakes located in the park. Each of these lakes is beautiful and unique in its own way.
By configuration, the territory of the park is almost a regular rhombus. The maximum distance from west to east is 55 km, from north to south - 50 km. The geographical center of the park is located in the area of the village. Przhevalskoye. The total area of the park within the boundaries approved by state acts is 146,237 hectares. The security zone is 500 m of territory adjacent to the border of the park.
The Curonian Spit National Park is located in the Kaliningrad region bordering Lithuania on a narrow strip of land between the salty Baltic Sea and the freshwater Curonian Lagoon. The northern borders of the park run along the Russian-Lithuanian border.
The natural uniqueness of the territory of the national park is that it is the largest sand bar in the world. The dune landscapes of the spit are distinguished by their exceptional beauty and aesthetic impact on humans and represent a unique object for the development of ecological tourism.
The Curonian Spit was regarded as “an exceptional example of a landscape consisting of sand dunes and under constant threat from natural forces such as wind and water. After the destructive intervention of a man who threatened the existence of the spit, it was restored through stabilization and protection work begun in the 19th century and continuing to this day. Currently, the territory of the Curonian Spit is officially under the protection of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
The Valdaisky National Park was established to preserve the unique lake-forest complex of the Valdai Upland and create conditions for the development of organized recreation in this area. The basis for the creation of the park was the unique combination and richness of natural components, the degree of their preservation and the ability to maintain ecological balance, the huge aesthetic impact of natural landscapes. A differentiated regime of special protection has been established on the territory of the park, taking into account its natural, historical and cultural features. In accordance with this, the following functional zones have been identified: reserved, specially protected, recreational, regulated use zone around lakes and rivers, as well as a visitor service zone.
The national park is located in the northern part of the Valdai Upland, its length from north to south is 105 km, from west to east - 45 km. The boundaries of the Park approximately correspond to the boundaries of the watersheds of lakes Borovno, Valdaiskoye, Velye, Seliger and the upper reaches of the Polomet River.
The Baikal-Lensky State Nature Reserve is located on an area of 659.9 thousand hectares. It is located on the territory of the Kachugsky and Olkhonsky districts of the Irkutsk region. The reserve stretches from south to north along the western coast of Lake Baikal for about 120 km with an average width of 65 km.
The total length of the coastline of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Zapovednoe Pribaikalye" is about 590 km and covers the western coast of Lake Baikal from the village of Kultuk in the south to Cape Elokhin in the north. In December 1996, the Baikal-Lena Reserve (along with Barguzinsky and Baikalsky) was included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.
At present, the process of merging the Baikal-Lena Reserve and the Pribaikalsky National Park into a single nature protection, scientific and tourist complex has been completed: the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Reserved Pribaikalye".
One of the oldest reserves in Russia, established in 1920 to preserve unique mineral deposits. Since 1935, it has been transformed into a complex reserve for the conservation and study of mineral wealth, flora and fauna of the eastern macroslope of the Southern Urals. In 1991, the Arkaim historical and archaeological branch (now the Stepnoe forestry) was attached to the reserve to preserve and study the unique monument of the early urban civilization of the Bronze Age - the Arkaim settlement and the archaeological complex in the Bolshekaraganskaya valley. The reserve is the only mineralogical reserve in the country and one of the few mineralogical reserves in the world.
Karadag Reserve
Not far from Feodosia, there is an amazing nature reserve, with which many legends are associated. Kara-Dag ("Black Mountain") is a volcanic massif, the last eruption of which occurred 150 million years ago. The Karadag nature reserve itself, occupying an area of more than 2870 hectares, was founded in 1979. Moreover, part of its area falls on the Black Sea.
Wonderful landscapes of Kara-Dag attracted tourists in ancient times. So that the unique nature would not be destroyed, it was decided to establish a nature reserve. Walking in this zone is allowed only if accompanied by employees strictly along the "ecological path".
Since its founding, the fauna and flora of the Karadag Reserve have been restored to a large extent. 125 species of animals living on the slopes of the mountain range, 79 species of plants are listed in the Red Book.
According to the legends, in one of the underwater caves near Kara-Dag, a giant Karadag monster resembling a snake lives.
Alien views of Kara-Dag are the result of the work of sea waves, sun, wind and time. The symbol of the reserve is recognized as a rock in the form of an arch, born directly from the water. She is called Shaitan-Kapu, which means "Devil's mouth." Other rocky ledges also deserve unusual names - "Dragon", "Ivan the Robber", "King" and others.
Manpupuner
The Ural Mountains... more than 200 million years ago, they stood proudly on the young planet Earth and witnessed many grandiose events. Over long millennia, water and wind gradually destroyed them. And today the Ural Mountains are one of the lowest in the world. But there were places in the Urals where nature could not cope with the stone. One of them is known to us under the name Manpupuner.
First of all, under the influence of the environment, soft rocks were destroyed, and stronger ones were able to reach our days. Geologists call them remnants. On Manpupuner, the remains are huge stone pillars 30 to 42 m high.
This place is truly mystical, because the Pillars of weathering, as the remnants are also called, are so ancient that even the Mansi worshiped them during the pagan period, and in translation from their language Manpupuner means “small mountain of idols”. Mansi, unlike geologists, know the true origin of stone pillars.
Russian North Park
Vologda Region.
Located in the north of the Russian plain, the "Russian North" became one of the first national parks to appear on the territory of the Russian Federation completely officially.
The peculiarity of this protected area is that in a relatively small area in this area of the Russian Plain, it was possible to simultaneously collect the most complete "collection" of plants and trees, comfortably accommodate a huge number of mammals, fish and birds, many of which have long been listed as endangered species. not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also on a global scale.
As for historical and architectural monuments, their number in the Russian North National Park cannot but amaze. First of all, among other buildings, several monasteries built during the 14th-15th centuries of Russian history are of particular importance.
Barguzinsky Reserve
The oldest in Russia, the Barguzinsky Nature Reserve is located on the northeastern coast of Lake Baikal, on the western slopes of the Barguzinsky Range. His task was to preserve and study the sable. 39 species of mammals and 243 species of birds are known in the reserve. Permanent inhabitants of the reserve: sable, Siberian weasel, lynx, fox, wolf, bear, reindeer, elk, squirrel, hazel grouse, capercaillie nutcracker, Baikal seal.
Here you can see all the high-altitude belts of the Barguzinsky Range, trace the change of vegetation from the shore of Lake Baikal to high-mountain lakes.
Great Arctic Reserve
The reserve is located beyond the Arctic Circle - on the Taimyr Peninsula and small islands, where there is permafrost, which can only be reached by air, and even then in summer weather. But the impressions even from one trip will definitely be enough for you for a lifetime.
In the Great Arctic Reserve, a relatively new type of ecological tourism for Russia is gaining popularity - birdwatching, bird watching.
Reserve "Ubsunur Hollow"
The unique state natural biosphere reserve "Ubsunur Hollow" is one of the key areas of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion. Which, in turn, is included in the Global 200 list - a list of virgin or little changed ecoregions of the world, in which more than 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated. Simply put, this is one of the few places on the planet where you can feel like 500-1000 (or even more) years ago.
The Ubsunur basin is characterized by the rarest combination of different elements of the fauna; 83 species of mammals are found here. The red wolf, snow leopard (irbis), Altai mountain sheep (argali) and gazelle are included in the Red Book of Russia and the reserve. In 2003, the basin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve
Organized in 1924, one of the largest not only in the Krasnodar Territory, but also in Russia. A reserve has been established to protect the unique natural complex of the Russian subtropics, to restore the number of animals and birds living on its territory. Many species of southern plants grow in the reserve, including fruit trees; above 1900-2000 m above sea level there are subalpine meadows, characterized by a large number of flowers that make this area especially beautiful. The most valuable species of animals, birds and plants living in the reserve are listed in the Red Book. Any human economic activity on the territory of the reserve is prohibited.
Kivach
The nature reserve Kivach is one of the oldest in Russia, founded in 1931. It is formed around the waterfall of the same name, which is its main attraction. A visit to the reserve and the waterfall is included in almost all excursions in Karelia.
Derzhavin, the first governor of Olonets and an outstanding poet, wrote the famous ode "Waterfall", after which Kivach took a prominent place in the work of many poets, artists, prose writers. The waterfall is beautiful at any time of the year: the waters of the river compressed by basalt rocks. Suns from an eight-meter height fall down in heavy cast streams, forming a powerful whirlpool in shreds of foam and producing an impressive noise. The most famous visitor to the waterfall is Emperor Alexander II. On the occasion of his arrival in 1868, a good road was laid to Kivach, a gazebo was built on the right bank and a house for the night on the left, and below the waterfall - a bridge across the Suna River.
Klyuchevskiy Natural Park
Klyuchevskoy natural park (Kamchatka region) is located on the territory of the forest fund of Klyuchevskoy forestry. The territory of the natural park is unique in its relief and has no analogues in the whole world: on an insignificant territory there are 13 volcanic structures of different ages, among which stands the most active volcano in the world and the highest active volcano in Asia, Klyuchevskoy with an absolute mark of about 4800 meters above sea level. Its height, due to frequent eruptions, is constantly changing due to the solidifying lava flows.
Krasnoyarsk pillars
Krasnoyarsk pillars is a state nature reserve located in the spurs of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, on the right bank of the Yenisei. Local rocks are called pillars because of their shape. They are tall - from 60 to 600 meters - and narrow. The age of the pillars is worthy of respect: according to various sources, from 450 to 600 million years have passed since the day they appeared. According to scientists, the pillars were formed due to the powerful pressure of magma, which could not break through to the surface of the earth. And their bizarre outlines were formed due to the influence of wind and precipitation.
The reserve has about a hundred pillars of gray-pink granite, each of which has its own name. Names were assigned not by chance, but depending on what or to whom this or that stone looks like. One of the most famous is the Grandfather pillar, as it resembles a formidable old man with a huge thick beard. Next to him are his relatives - Great-grandfather, Granddaughter, Grandmother, Gemini. There are animals, birds and everything in general. For example, the Chinese Wall, Feathers, Lion's Gate, Tusk.
National Park "Call of the Tiger"
Located in Primorsky Krai.
The national park was established in 2007 in the southeastern part of Primorsky Krai, and the main goal of its creation was to preserve the endangered Amur tiger population. Of course, other rare animals also live here - the Far Eastern forest cat, spotted deer, goral, roe deer, red deer, Himalayan and brown bears.
its landscape is mountains and valleys, so that the elevation difference can reach more than 1700 km. There are more than 50 mountains alone, more than a kilometer high, on the territory and on the borders. Due to the difference in height, an amazing diversity of the flora of the park is achieved, which has no equal in the whole world. Here you can see many plants listed in the Red Book, dense spruce and tundra forests, as well as relic plants. Lianas (schizandra, wild grapes) that wrap around coniferous trees give a unique look to the landscapes of the park. Here you can also find many medicinal plants and flowers: lilies, peonies, slippers and so on.
About 250 different species of birds and more than fifty mammals live in the Call of the Tiger park. There is nothing else like it in Russia.
There are so many beautiful places on Earth where you really want and need to visit at least once! National parks can be called the pinnacle of the joint creativity of God and man: nature has created - but people have not spoiled and continue to protect these incredible beauty corners of the planet.
Of the hundreds of the most beautiful natural reserves in the world, it is perhaps impossible to choose the most-most. But we tried, took a chance - and in 2013 Holiday M presents 13 the most picturesque National Parks of the planet!
13. Tikal National Park, Guatemala
Tikal- the strongest Mayan city in Guatemala and one of the most mystical and mysterious places on earth.
Name Tikal in the Mayan language means "a place where the voices of spirits are heard." Indeed, to this day in one of the largest settlements Mayan, the capital of the Mutul kingdom, to this day the voices of the inhabitants who left the city at the end of the 10th century are heard.
The park is hidden deep in the jungle from prying eyes. The fantastic ruins of a Mayan settlement, which date back to around 250 - 900 AD, are full of unique architecture: ritual sites, temples, palaces, castles and various wild animals. By the way, it was the ruins of Tikal Park that were used as a backdrop, as the base of the rebels in Hollywood Star Wars.
12. Zhangjiajie National Park and Huanglong Yellow Dragon Cave (Yellow Dragon Scenic Area), China
Zhangjiajie- the oldest of the national parks in China and, perhaps, the most remarkable. Opened in 1982, ten years later it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Yellow Dragon Conservation Area is located in the northwest of Sichuan in the highlands. Huanglong Scenic Area is an ecosystem with waterfalls, hot springs, mountain gorges, blue lakes, virgin forests and snow on hilltops.
The protected area is famous for its high mountain ranges and unique caves. One of the most beautiful of them - Unique Huanglong Cave (Yellow Dragon Cave) in the Soshiiu Nature Reserve. A four-tiered cave 15 km long. included a lake, two rivers, 13 halls and about 96 galleries cluttered with stalactites and stalagmites of striking shapes and sizes. So one of them, with a diameter of 10 cm, reaches 19.2 m in height!
11. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Nothing can compare with the magnificence of the wild nature of Africa, and this is a vivid confirmation of this.
In 1884, Transvaal President Paul Kruger took the initiative to create a conservation area in the lowveld. And on May 31, 1926, on the basis of the Sabi and Shingwedzi hunting reserves, the Kruger Park was created, which became the first national park in South Africa. Hardly any other national park compares to Kruger Park for its pristine countryside, wildlife and vastness.
The Kruger National Park provides the best safari in the world. In one place you can see the largest mammals, a large number of birds and large predators.
The park is considered the most profitable national park in the world with about 1 million tourists visiting it every year.
As part of the Kruger to the Canyons Biosphere Reserve, formed in 2001, it is included in.
10. Lake Manyara National Park (Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
In the Great Rift Valley, in northern Tanzania, at an altitude of 950 m above sea level, around an unusually beautiful lakes Manyara, in the heart of the green forest, between the rocks is located National a park Manyara.
The park is located on northern Tanzania, an hour and a half drive west of Arusha.
Manyara Lake Reserve- picturesque gemstone in setting UNESCO: in 1981 the park was included in the worldwide network of biosphere reserves.
9. Swiss National Park, SwitzerlandDespite the fact that Switzerland is known for its magical Alps, it has only one national park to offer tourists. But what!
It is located in the east of Switzerland, in the region of the Engadine valley, including the vast territory of the Alps.
The park is considered one of the oldest in Central Europe - it was created in 1914. In 1979 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves. UNESCO along with the adjacent Italian national park Stelvio.
The history of the park is interesting and instructive. By 1909, in the course of "industrialization", the resources of this forest and mineral rich territory were completely destroyed by man. Then, in 1914, it was decided to ban economic activity in this area and trace the ability of nature to self-healing, and no nature restoration activities were carried out in the park. However, now it is one of the most beautiful reserves in the world, which is visited by about 150 thousand people a year.
Mountain rivers, snowy peaks, picturesque valleys, rich flora and fauna beckon tourists to enjoy the beauties of alpine nature at its best...
Is this not a silent call: "People, take care of me!"
8. Kakadu National Park, Australia
The uniqueness of this Australian natural wonder is given by the rocks and ledges surrounding it on all sides, protecting the park itself from the outside world and the outside world from it. In addition, since 1981, the park has also been under protection. UNESCO.
National Kakdu park located in the Northern Territory of Australia. He did not get his name in honor of everyone's favorite crested parrot. It is named after the Kakadu Aboriginal tribe that lives here to this day. In addition to an abundance of plants, insects, reptiles, birds, animals and fish, Kakadu National Park also contains two caves, the walls of which are decorated with ancient rock art dating back to about the 16th millennium BC.
7. Snowdonia National Park(Snowdonia), UK, Walessnowdonia national park was established in 1951 and became one of the first three national parks of England and Wales. In just over 60 years, Snowdonia has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world!
These are mountain landscapes of indescribable beauty and wide sandy beaches, monasteries and ancient castles, dense forests and crystal clear lakes. Untouched nature, unique Celtic culture and developed tourist infrastructure coexist surprisingly harmoniously here.
6. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,Australia
Not far from Uluru is the rocky formation of Kata Tjuta (which means "many heads"). And together they are one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world, the symbol and heart of Australia.
In 1987 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was included in UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1995 he received Picasso's gold medal - the highest award of UNESCO,for the preservation of the nature and culture of the Anangu aborigines. Today, many of them work in the park as guides and tour guides for tourist groups.
5. Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, Peru
The secrets of the mystical Inca Empire excite the minds of historians, explorers and adventurers from all over the world. Machu-Picchu, especially after receiving the status UNESCO World Heritage became a center of mass tourism - per day this ancient city is visited by 2000 tourists!
Machu Picchu is sometimes referred to as "the city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", but more commonly as the "lost city of the Incas". The majestic Machu Picchu is located in remote places of the mountainous regions of Peru: at an altitude of 2430 m above sea level, in the middle of a tropical forest. To support tourism, a railroad was built from Cusco to the nearby city of Aguas Calientes. Through Ollantaytambo, along the most picturesque route, there are more than ten trains a day.
More about one of the New Wonders of the World - historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you can find out
(Everglades National Park), Florida, USA
"There are no majestic peaks rushing to the sky, no mighty glaciers or seething streams ... This place has a special serene beauty ... thanks to the richness of the local nature, we can see here the richness of the flora and fauna that distinguishes this corner of nature from all others in our country." - said President Harry Truman at the ceremony in honor of the opening of the park. And in 1979 the organizing committee UNESCO supported his words by adding Everglades to the list objects World heritage.
3. (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park), California, USA
Anza-Borrego is a huge nature reserve, the largest park in the state of California.
during the gold rush of 1849. tens of thousands of gold miners passed through the Anza-Borrego desert. Today, the flowering desert delights visitors with virgin nature, where you can get acquainted with the unique ecology, its steep gorges and barren, eroded, rugged terrain.
Every year, in March-April, thousands of tourists come here to look at the miraculous transformation of a lifeless desert into a blooming paradise.
Read more
2. Iguazu National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazú), South America
National a parkIguazu is located in the ecological region "Atlantic Forests of Parana" and invariably delights tourists with an incredible variety of flora and fauna. But the main task of the park, created in 1934, was and remains the preservation of one of the most beautiful places in South America - the waterfalls on the Iguazu River, surrounded by subtropical jungle.
Iguaçu in the Tupi Guarani language means big water. The park partially contains one of the natural monuments of South America and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world - Iguazu Falls.
waterfalls are on the border Argentine and Brazilian national parks « Iguazu". Both parks were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986, respectively.
), Arizona, USA
The most grandiose, and, perhaps, one of the most interesting and unique corners of the Earth - USA national parkGrand Canyon.
The park covers an area of about 5 thousand square meters. km. was founded in 1908 to protect a unique natural formation - the gorge of the Colorado River, which is located in its middle course. The Grand Canyon is one of the most unusual places on our planet, which represents as many as 4 geological eras of the Earth!
In fact, the Grand Canyon is neither the largest nor the deepest in the world - it is valued primarily for its harmonious combination of size, depth and multi-colored rock outcrops formed over millions of years of erosion and weathering.
Now it is one of the main tourist destinations in the United States - the grandiose scale of the canyon and its bizarre remnants of the most fantastic forms attract more than 2 million people to the Grand Canyon National Park every year. And of course it is one of the most amazing observation decks of the world !
Walks are especially popular among tourists. over the Grand Canyon by helicopter. During the fascinating three-hour excursion you will fly by helicopter above Grandee-Canyon, enjoying stunning landscapes and wonderful views.
Orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo - a lesson in humanity for people
Prices for tours to the best National stamps of the world see
The diversity of wildlife is the key to our well-being.
The nature of our planet is amazingly rich and diverse. The world is full of amazing creations. Where man does not interfere, nature lives and forms according to the perfect laws established by the Creator. But with the advent of civilization, everything changes. Unfortunately, since time immemorial man has killed animals and cut down forests. Over time, people populated almost the entire planet. As a result of human activity, many plants and animals have lost their usual habitats or even disappeared from the face of the Earth.
Purpose of creating national parks.
The main purpose of the creation of national parks and reserves is the protection of living organisms, balancing on the verge of extinction. If there were no protected areas, elephants, rhinos, bison and bison would remain only in zoos, and some animals, such as Komodo dragons - giant monitor lizards that live only in Komodo National Park (on the island of the same name), would disappear altogether. However, despite the common name, national parks were created each for its own specific purpose.
Introduction
1. The purpose of creating national parks
2. Rationale for the choice of topic
3. Main idea of the work
4 Main body
- National parks of the world
- Paanajärvi National Park
- Taganay National Park
- Zabaikalsky National Park
- Olympic National Park
- yellowstone national park
- Monteverde National Park
5. Information sources
Main part
A national park is an area where human activities are restricted for the purpose of protecting the environment.
Unlike nature reserves, where human activity is almost completely prohibited (hunting, tourism, etc. are prohibited), tourists are allowed into the territory of national parks, and economic activities are allowed on a limited scale.
There are over 1000 national parks in the world. There are 29 of them in Russia.
Paanajärvi National Park. Russia.
Paanajärvi National Park is located in the north-west of the Republic of Karelia, in its most elevated part. The Paanajärvi National Park was founded on May 20, 1992 by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation. The area of the national park is 104,473 hectares.
Flora is the main attraction of the park. Its originality is determined by three factors - the low-mountain nature of the relief, the presence of carbonate rocks (dolomites) favorable for the growth of many calciphilous plants, and, finally, the presence of large natural massifs untouched by man.
217 species of vertebrates are registered in the area of the national park: 36 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 3 species of amphibians and reptiles, 17 species of fish and 1 species of cyclostomes.
The pearl of the park is Lake Paanajärvi, characterized by its small size (1.5 by 24 km) and exceptional depth (128 m). There are many rapids on the rivers, there are significant waterfalls. Reservoirs abound with valuable species of fish.
The natural and historical value of the park is unique. Beautiful landscapes, rich flora and fauna, the opportunity to relax in pristine silence, rich fishing - all this attracts tourists, researchers, photographers, and many nature lovers to visit the park. Currently, about 2.5 thousand visitors a year visit the national park. It is planned to increase the number of tourists in the next three years to 6-8 thousand per year.
Taganay National Park(Russia)
Taganay National Park was organized in 1991. It is located in the western part of the Chelyabinsk region, on the territory of the Zlatoust and Kusinsky administrative districts. The length of the park from north to south is 52 km, from west to east an average of 10-15 km.
The Taganay National Park is located in one of the most unique corners of the Southern Urals - in the region of the Taganay mountain junction, just north of the ancient Ural city of Zlatoust. Many valuable ecological systems, such as mountain tundra and meadows, have been preserved almost untouched here.
About 800 species of higher vascular plants have been noted in the flora, of which 28 are rare and endangered. Roe deer, wild boar, elk, beaver, brown bear, lynx, wolf, marten, ermine, weasel, otter live.
On the territory of the national park there are ancient mineral mines, the wealth of which is presented in the collections of many mineralogical museums both in Russia and abroad. In a word, the Taganay National Park is a small mountainous country with its peaks and intermountain valleys, swift mountain rivers and swampy swamps, tundra and small taiga, the place is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the Southern Urals.
Zabaikalsky National Park (Russia)
The Zabaikalsky National Park was established in 1986 on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia in order to preserve the unique natural complex of the Baikal basin. The national park is located on the east coast of the lake. Baikal, in the central part of the Republic of Buryatia, on the territory of the Barguzinsky district. In the north, the territory of the Barguzinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve adjoins the border of the national park.
The flora includes many endemic, rare and relic plants. According to preliminary estimates, the flora of the park is more than 700 species of vascular plants. There are habitats of many species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 19 endemic species, 9 species rare in Baikal.
291 species of terrestrial vertebrates are registered on the territory of the national park: 44 species of mammals, 241 species of birds, 3 reptiles and 3 species of amphibians. The most common types of mammals of medium and large sizes: hare, squirrel, muskrat, sable, ermine, brown bear, red deer, elk. 49 species of terrestrial vertebrates found in the park are listed in the Red Books of the Russian Federation.
Olympic National Park. (USA)
Olympic National Park is located in the northwestern United States, in the state of Washington, famous for its amazing nature. The total area of the park is 350,000 hectares. Here, in the Pacific fog, enveloping the coast and the forest, large trees are hiding, as well as a broken coastline. The climate of this area is one of the wettest on the planet. The park has mountains with snow-capped peaks and slowly sliding glaciers, as well as rainforests that are as mysterious and dark as the rainforests in the Amazon region.
In 1788, an English captain, in honor of the legendary home of the mythical gods of Ancient Greece, named the highest of these mountains (its height is almost 2,500 meters) Olympus. And in 1938, in order to preserve the inviolability of the virgin nature of these places, the Olympic National Park was created.
Virunga National Park (Africa)
Virunga is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It is located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For 300 kilometers, the border of the park coincides with the state borders of Rwanda and Uganda. The official birth year of Virunga Park is 1929. Then it was named Albert and Kivu National Park. In 1969, a separate Virunga National Park was separated from the Albert and Kivu conservation area.
Currently, the territory of the park borders on the lands of the Ruwenzori National Park in Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. A few years ago, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda took the initiative to create a transboundary biosphere reserve in the border area, which was supposed to include the Virunga National Park.
The area of the Virunga National Park is 790 thousand hectares. Landscapes in the national park are very diverse. Here you can find grassy and woody savannahs, undersized permanently wet forests, bamboo thickets, swamps, meadows and glaciers.
Yellowstone National Park (USA)
Yellowstone National Park - founded by the US Congress in 1872, it became the first national park in the country. The park occupies almost 900 thousand hectares and is located mainly on the lands of the state of Wyoming.
The main attractions of the park - geysers and Mammoth hot springs - force a huge number of tourists from all over the world to flock here.
The geysers of Yellowstone are considered unsurpassed in their grandeur. The colossal power of geysers is hard to imagine - some of them throw out about 5 thousand tons of water at a time to a height of up to 100 meters. Each ejection lasts a few seconds, then the column of water falls and the geyser subsides until the next time.
Another attraction of the park is Mammoth Hot Springs. Over the centuries and millennia, hot waters saturated with various chemical impurities have formed deposits of complex and diverse shapes - streaks, stepped terraces, pyramids and even something like stalactites that suggest a cave located on the surface of the earth.
Most of the park is occupied by coniferous forests, in which many animals that are close to extinction in other areas have found refuge.
Here you can meet black, bison, elk and deer, as well as many smaller animals and a huge number of birds.
Monteverde National Park (Costa Rica)
In the 1960s, a group of scientists and local residents founded the Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, which eventually included the watershed zone. Since then, the reserve has been expanded several times, and now it covers approximately 10,500 hectares.
This reserve is one of the most attractive places in Costa Rica. Every year, about 50,000 tourists climb the steep, winding dirt road to reach Monteverde. Numerous bird lovers and naturalists come here to observe all kinds of birds, animals and plants that have found refuge in the reserve and nearby areas.
Conclusion
In the 20th and 19th centuries, environmental pollution became a real problem for almost the entire planet. Waste can enter underground water supplies and cause serious harm to human and animal health. “We don't know what to do with all the chemicals produced by modern industry,” admitted a Hungarian scientist from the Budapest Institute of Hydrology. “We can't even keep track of them.”
Our goal is to preserve unique geothermal phenomena, grassy prairies, unique glaciers, breathtaking views, an abundance of life forms.
Information sources
- www.nparks.ru
- www.vokrugsveta.ru
- Disks - Golden Globe "US National Parks
- Dorysheva V. A. “National parks and reserves”
- Zaikin S. N. “Wonders of the World”
- Marchenkova A. V. “This wonderful world”
- Shcherbakov V. I. “National parks of the world”
The governments of some countries are making great efforts to protect certain territories in order to preserve the cultural and natural wealth of their people for future generations.
There are more than 160 thousand protected areas in the world. In total, they occupy 10% of the entire surface of the planet. Here are the biggest ones:
The largest nature reserves in the world
1. Papahanaumokuakea (area - 1.5 million km²)
monk sealThe idea of creating a conservation area in Hawaii was first proposed by former US President Theodore Roosevelt back in 1909. But only 100 years later, in 2006, George W. Bush, with the support of the US Department of Commerce and the Interior, who allocated funding, created the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument.
And in 2016, Barack Obama almost quadrupled the protected area, making Papahanaumokuakea the largest nature reserve in the world.
More than 7,000 species of various plant and animal species live here, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
2. Northeast Greenland National Park (area - 972 thousand km²)
Considering that the national park covers the entire northern part of Greenland, it is recognized as one of the largest national parks in the world. Its dimensions are larger than the area of 163 of the 195 existing states in the world.
This national park is home to polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls and many other species of wildlife, some of which are on the verge of extinction. The park was created in 1974, over time its territory increased, and in 1977 it already received the status of a biosphere reserve of international importance.
3. Marine Protected Area of the Chagos Archipelago (area - 544 thousand km²)
The territory of the world's largest marine conservation area is under the auspices of the UK and is the largest reserve of marine life on the planet.
The territory of the region is larger than France and is located 500 km south of the Maldives. The reserve covers seven atolls and coral islands with the most beautiful and diverse underwater natural world, which plays a key role in shaping the local ecosystem.
Chagos is home to over 1200 species of corals, various fish and one of the rarest species of sea turtles.
4. Kavango-Zambezi transboundary reserve (area - 444 thousand km²)
The reserve covers the territory of several African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is home to several national parks, including Chobe, Nhai Pan and Bwabwata, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.
The Kavango Zambezi was founded to protect the migration of animals from one country to another. The region's biological resource includes one of the largest populations of elephants on the African continent.
5. Protected area of the Phoenix Islands (area - 408 thousand km²)
The protected area is located on the territory of the Republic of Kiribati and is the largest natural reserve of marine life in the Pacific Ocean.
These places are connected to the mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a famous female pilot whose plane in 1937 is believed to have disappeared in these waters.
Five of the eight protected islands are home to extremely rare endangered bird species that attract the attention of tourists and explorers. Some areas of the reserve can be visited, but only with special permission.
6. Great Barrier Reef (area - 344.4 thousand km²)
One of the most interesting natural attractions in Australia is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef - the largest accumulation of corals in the world. Here, in one place, there are many exotic species of marine flora and fauna.
The area was declared a national park due to the fact that corals began to disappear rapidly under the influence of environmental pollution. Now, for example, tourists and surfers visiting the nature park are required to follow strict rules of conduct.
The Great Barrier Reef is located near the state of Queensland and consists of a chain of more than 900 islands and 2,900 individual reefs, stretching 2,600 kilometers in length.
Tourism in this region brings Australia billions of dollars in income.
7. Galapagos Marine Reserve (area - 133 thousand km²)
marine iguana The islands of the archipelago are located a thousand kilometers from the coast of Ecuador. The reserve is home to many species of sharks, whales, turtles, and fish. The remote location, the mixture of warm and cold sea currents, fresh and salty waters, contributed to the development of an unusual animal world.
Charles Darwin studied in detail the various types of animals that lived on these islands, and later, based on the analysis of the data obtained, developed his theory of evolution.
The biggest threat to the region's biodiversity today is illegal fishing, lobster, sea cucumbers (holothurians) and some shark species.
8. Air and Tenere National Reserve (area - 77.36 thousand km²)
The protected area is located in Niger and is under the protection of UNESCO. The name appeared as a result of a combination of the names of the two regions where the reserve is located: the eastern part on the Air plateau, and the western part in the Tener desert (part of the Sahara).
The reserve is home to various endangered animal species, and only some of its parts are accessible to tourists.
Dunes, caves, canyons, underwater caves and other geographical features that are found only in this part of the world have become a distinctive feature of this territory.
There is a mountain of real marble, as well as sand dunes with an ever-changing appearance.
9. Rangel St. Elias (area - 53.3 thousand km²)
This national park and sanctuary was created in 1980 and is located on the territory of southern Alaska and nine states of the USA.
The 16 mountain peaks of this park are the highest in the United States, and the local landscapes are reminiscent of the Swiss Alps.
10. Transfrontier Park Big Limpopo (area - 37.6 thousand km²)
The protected area of the park continues to expand and currently covers land in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, bringing together several national parks.
Animals inhabiting the area: African elephants, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, white rhinos, cheetahs, mongooses, etc.
Tourism is developed here, various safaris are held. In addition to standard jeep tours, there are canoe tours, walking tours, and various events and festivals are held for guests.
Big Limpopo National (natural) park- a protected area of the territory (water area) with an intact natural complex, often with unique objects (waterfalls, canyons, picturesque landscapes, etc.). Combines the protection of landscapes with the admission of visitors for recreation. Given that their purpose is mass tourism, natural parks have a significant area.
Currently, there are more than a thousand national parks in the world.
Greenlandic
The largest national park in the world - Greenlandic It is located in the northeast of the island of Greenland. Its area is about 70 million hectares. This only park in Greenland is also the northernmost of all the national parks in the world. The park is home to 40% of the world population of musk musk oxen. Among the protected animals there are also polar bear, walrus, arctic fox, ermine, lemming, arctic hare, different types of seals, seals, narwhals, whales, etc. Reindeer disappeared from the park back in 1990. Wolves often visit the park.
yellowstone national park
The world's first national park was opened in 1872 in the USA. It was Yemouston National Park located on the Yellowstone Plateau. The area of the park is 898.3 thousand hectares. This is one of the oldest parks in the world. First of all, it is famous for its hot springs. Geysers throw jets of hot water and steam to a height of up to 90 m. Eruptions occur regularly at regular intervals. The water of geysers and hot springs, rich in calcium and silicon, forms bizarre sinter terraces rising to a considerable height.
1870 plant species grow in the park, of which eight species are conifers. 80% of all forest areas are occupied by lodgepole pine. Of the deciduous trees, aspens, willows, and birches are more common than others (mostly in the undergrowth). Of the flowering plants of the park, sand-loving abronia, or Yellowstone sand verbena, should be noted. This plant is found in the wild only within the boundaries of the park. There are about 60 species of mammals in the park, including rare ones: wolf, lynx, grizzly bear, American bison, black bear (baribal), wapiti deer, elk, black-tailed deer, mountain goat, pronghorn, bighorn, cougar, etc.
Yellowstone National Park is a great tourist destination. It receives up to 3 million visitors a year. All conditions are created for them, various excursions and routes are organized. But areas of untouched nature are still preserved. They have no roads and access is severely restricted. The park is considered a biosphere protected area. Thanks to the Yellowstone National Park, it was possible to preserve and restore the bison population.
Komodo
One of the most interesting national parks in the world Komodo National Park, which is located on several islands that are part of the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago (Indonesia). The world's only population of the world's largest lizard, Komodo dragons (lizards), lives here. They are covered with strong scales and have a fairly long tail. Komodo dragons have five toes on their feet. According to some reports, it was these lizards that became the prototype of dragons, about which Chinese sailors made up legends.
The national park currently functions as a strict biosphere reserve. The habitat of the monitor lizard is also fully protected.
The world learned about the existence of this huge lizard in 1912, when one of the European pilots made an emergency landing here and told about what he saw in his homeland. The Indonesian monitor lizard really makes a frightening impression: length - about 3.5 m, weight - up to 150 kg, a huge mouth with many teeth. The appearance of the lizard is in many ways reminiscent of extinct dinosaurs. Varan is a predator. It hunts wild deer and pigs, runs fast and swims well, is extremely voracious, easily eats 6 kg of meat at one time. The animal is undeniably unique, having no analogues in the world.
Serengeti
In the zone African savannah enjoys particular fame Serengeti national park in Tanzania. He owes this to the famous biologist, ecologist, writer, documentary filmmaker Bernhard Grzimek(1907-1986). B. Grzimek wrote about the Serengeti: “Tourists are attracted to Africa only by virgin nature with its wild animals. If the wild fauna disappears here, as happened almost everywhere, then there will be no reason for tourists to come here.” The Serengeti is characterized by huge herds of various ungulates. Wildebeest graze along with zebras, gazelles and giraffes in the vast savannah, and Cairo buffaloes are found in dense thickets. All these animals are characterized by mass movements (migrations) following the front of rains during the year. Predators also roam behind herds of ungulates. The number of ungulates currently within the park is estimated at hundreds of thousands of individuals, there are several thousand elephants, hundreds of lions, hippos, rhinos.
swiss national park
In Europe, the first national park was created in the canton of Graubünden. It bears the name Swiss national park. The park was founded on August 1, 1914 on an area of 172.4 km2. It includes the territory of the Alps at an altitude between 1400-3174 m above sea level on the border with Austria and Italy. The park is famous for its unique and diverse flora and fauna, as well as nature completely untouched by man. The predominant landscapes are mountain coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Roe deer and chamois live here, less often - alpine mountain goat and fox; there are also deer, marmots, ptarmigan, capercaillie and several species of birds of prey.
Corbett
Corbett- the oldest national park India, it was founded during the British colonial rule in 1935 and occupies about 52 thousand hectares in the valley of the Ramgant River, flowing from the southern slopes Himalayas. The hilly plain of the park (altitude from 400 to 900 m) is covered with forests. During the wet monsoon, vast reservoirs often form in the valley, overgrown with aquatic vegetation. This is the habitat of the giant gharial, or swamp crocodile. The crocodile family lives on Earth for about 150 million years. For many years, these reptiles were actively exterminated in order to obtain valuable skin. Now crocodiles are bred for industrial needs in special nurseries, and in nature they are almost universally protected.
The main object of protection in the national park - tiger. The number of tigers in India in the 1930s-1950s. sharply reduced due to uncontrolled shooting by both colonizers and local poachers. Back in the 1960s. The government of India launched a large-scale operation "Tiger", aimed at preserving and restoring the number of this animal. The main events were held just in Korbstt Park. Now the number of tigers is close to optimal.
The park is also home to several species of Asian deer, a sloth bear, and more than 400 species of birds. For a long time, the park was little visited by tourists due to the difficult transport accessibility.
In the late 1970s A modern highway has been laid from the capital of India, Delhi, and the park is visited by thousands of tourists from around the world.
Central Kalahari Reserve
In the desert zone, let's call the Central Kalahari Reserve in South Africa. It was founded in 1957. Its area is 5 million hectares. Unlike national parks, which can be visited by tourists, only scientists are allowed to stay in the reserves. In the Central Kalahari Reserve, local tribes of Bushmen live, who lead their traditional economy. The main object of protection in the reserve is a unique plant - velvichia.
Velvichia has a thick tree trunk 30 cm long and looks like a giant flower with huge petals, which are actually the leaves of this plant. In the hot desert, where water is life, velvichia absorbs moisture from the air with its huge leaves, collects dew, “drinks” fog.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park was created in USA in 1890, has an area of more than 300 thousand hectares, located on the western slopes of the mountains Sierra Nevada. Mountain peaks rise almost 4 thousand meters here. There are many waterfalls on mountain rivers. With an abundance of precipitation, ancient dark coniferous forests consist of many species of spruce, pine, and fir. More than 250 species of typical taiga mammals and birds are represented. But the main glory of the national park was brought by the preserved areas of the giant sequoia. Individual trees of this species, which are several thousand years old, reach a height of 150 m with a trunk diameter of 10 m. Sequoia wood is reddish in color, very light, but at the same time hard, durable, and slightly susceptible to decay. It is believed that in the Tertiary period, the sequoia was widespread throughout the Earth, but now, after many years of predatory extermination, areas of virgin forests are very rare and strictly protected. In botanical gardens, it is found almost all over the world.
Banff and Jasper
On South Canadian Rockies there are two large national parks banff And Jasper. Banff Park, with an area of about 700 thousand hectares, was created in 1885. To the north of it begins Jasper Park (area of \u200b\u200bmore than 1 million hectares), founded in 1907. The height of the Rocky Mountains within the parks reaches 3700 m. mountain taiga. Glaciers, snowfields, frequent waterfalls and hot springs (began to be used for bathing in the 19th century) are found in the strongly dissected Skatisty mountains.
The coniferous forests are dominated by mountain spruce, maritime pine, Douglas fir (up to 45 m high). Of the large animals of the mountain forests, deer, black bears, black-tailed deer, mountain sheep, and many birds are common.
One of the most unusual animals of the Rocky Mountains is the bighorn goat, found only here. This is an animal with a thick long white six, similar to a domestic goat. Lives in the alpine zone, rarely descending into the forests. Well adapted to life in the mountains, capable of jumping 6-7 m on barely noticeable mountain ledges. The animal is very rare, now work is underway to increase its number, in the future - domestication. Both national parks are biosphere reserves and successfully combine wildlife protection with tourism.
Virunga
Almost in the very center of Africa, right on the equator, is located Virunga National Park. It was established in 1915, covers an area of more than 20 thousand hectares and is located in the northwest of a small African state Rwanda, on the southern slopes of the volcanic mountains Virunga. Several cones of extinct volcanoes up to 4500 m high rise in the park. Virunga is located just south of the equator, and humid equatorial and mountain forests and shrubs predominate in its landscapes. The main object of protection is the mountain gorilla - the largest anthropoid ape.
Blue Mountains Park
Northwest of Sydney, on a mountain plateau dissected by deep gorges, one of the largest national parks in the southeastern Australia - Blue Mountains National Park("Blue Mountains") with an area of 200 thousand hectares. It was created in 1959. The “Blue Mountains” are part of the Great Dividing Range, the highest heights here do not exceed 1200 m. Along the river valleys there are dense forests of blue eucalyptus, acacia, mint, and tree ferns.
Platypuses, possums, giant gray kangaroos are preserved here, among the birds - Wong's dove, lyrebird, fantails, yellow flycatcher. It should be noted that the flora and fauna of Australia is not rich, but very peculiar: 9/10 of the flora and fauna of the mainland cannot be found in any other area of the globe. It is this uniqueness that is of great interest to scientists and requires the most stringent protection measures. The Blue Mountains Park managed to do it. There are many places left inaccessible, completely untouched, where no tourist has ever set foot.
rancho grande
rancho grande- the first national park Venezuela- was created in 1937. It covers an area of about 90 thousand hectares on the spurs of the Venezuelan Andes facing the Caribbean Sea, absolute heights are up to 2500 m. Altitude zonation is well represented here with an abundance of various tropical forests. High humidity (about 1700 mm of precipitation per year) determines the richness of the fauna, especially dwarf palms, orchids, ferns, lianas. The national park is famous for its rare birds: more than 30 species of hummingbirds (the weight of the largest individuals of these tiny birds does not exceed 5 g), parrots, guajaro (a rare bird of the nightjar family, usually nesting in deep caves in numerous colonies, active at night). The largest venomous snake on Earth is found here - a giant rattlesnake, reaching 3.5 m in length. Among mammals, peccaries, sloths, capuchin monkeys (so named for the black crest on their head), raccoons, jaguars are common.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands are located right on the equator in the Pacific Ocean, west of South America and belong to the state Ecuador. All islands with a total area of approx. 10 thousand hectares were declared a national park in 1934. The archipelago has about 15 volcanic islands, of which five are large, the highest points of which rise to a height of 1700 m. Volcanic activity continues to this day. The islands are washed by a cold current, and the water and air temperature here is relatively low for the equator + 21 ... + 25 ° С. Vegetation is poor: mainly cacti and thorny shrubs. Nevertheless, the Galapagos are extremely interesting for science, it was here that he began to conduct his research. Charles Darwin in 1835
There are many amazing animals on the islands: penguins, which came here from Antarctica thanks to the cold current; flightless cormorants, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lion.
Galapagos tortoises - huge animals with a shell length of up to 1.5 m and a mass of 200 kg - were predatoryly exterminated by humans because of their tasty and nutritious meat. Now turtles are taken under protection, their number is increasing.
The marine iguana is the only species of lizard whose entire life is associated with a narrow coastal zone of shallow water and a strip of coast. This large reptile, up to 1.5 m long, is an excellent swimmer, feeds on algae and more.
The Galapagos National Park has a strict regime: it is forbidden for tourists to visit the islands, any economic activity, the import of alien plants and animals. Since 1964, the International Biological Station has been operating here. Thus, the Galapagos Islands are more correctly considered a biosphere reserve.
